Ruckman who played four seasons at Melbourne before being cut from the senior list before the 1936 season. His future looked bright in 1934 when he went to South Australia with the state team, but only played eight games the next year before being dropped. He initially announced he'd continue play for the Seconds, but after being pursued by North Melbourne signed with St Kilda..

Because the Demons had previously agreed that any unused players would be sent to North first, St Kilda had to approach them to confirm they weren't interested before they could sign him. Melbourne then cleared him and he played two seasons at the Junction Oval.

Hooper was out of the VFL from the end of 1937 until 1943. He played for Ararat in 1938, before coaching Jeparit in 1939. He returned for two more games with the Demons in 1943, retired in the 1944 pre-season before being married and served in the army's Pay Corp during World War II.